backgear engages like it's optional

10K backgear. Lever goes over. Teeth don't always take. Sometimes it runs in backgear and sometimes it just clicks and the spindle sits there looking at me. Pins look worn. I haven't pulled the bull gear yet because I wanted to be told the lever is the whole story.

The lever is not the whole story. If the pin doesn't push the gear all the way in, you get exactly that click. Look at the pin and the hole it lives in before you buy a gear. A short pin is a cheaper sadness.

Pin is short and the hole is fine. Made a longer one out of a dowel pin I had. It engages. It also reminds me I avoided the obvious for a week. Gibs are not always the answer. Writing that where I can see it.